Unipart Logistics Secures Five Year Contract Extension With Waterstones

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This new contract builds on the strength and success of the long term relationship between Waterstones and Unipart, which saw the two companies collaboratively win four awards at the European Supply Chain Excellence Awards in 2015.

Beccy Preece, Head of Supply Chain Services at Waterstones said: "We've extended our contract because Unipart really understands our business and provides an excellent service. Over the past 10 years our needs have changed - along with the change in the way our customers buy books - and with the introduction of a greater, non-book range Unipart have adapted to support our needs and so have helped our business to grow."

Key to the successful partnership has been Unipart's innovative supply chain thinking and agile delivery of change. For instance over the past 18 months, Unipart has completely reconfigured the service to the stores to deliver a next day delivery service by harnessing the power of The Unipart Way, which is the company's proprietary business system for continuous improvement. In addition, Unipart has also helped Waterstones increase availability of new and old titles whilst still reducing the overall inventory holding.  

Claire Walters, Chief Commercial Officer at Unipart Logistics said: "We are incredibly proud of our long-term partnership with Waterstones, and our contribution to the turnaround of the business over the last few years through intelligent supply chain decisions. Our team feel part of the Waterstones family, and are passionate about delivering exceptional and rapid service to Waterstones customers. We are looking forward to taking our partnership to a new level, through implementing innovative ideas and digital technology to further enhance the Waterstones supply chain."

For more information about Unipart Logistics, please visit: http://unipartlogistics.com .

About Unipart Group:

Unipart Group is a leading UK manufacturer, full service logistics provider and consultant in operational excellence. Operating across a range of market sectors, including automotive, manufacturing, mobile telecoms, rail, retail and technology, Unipart offers a breadth of services from third party logistics to expert consultancy. The company, which has its headquarters in Oxford, provides services to a growing range of blue chip clients including Jaguar Land Rover, Vodafone, Sky, Sainsbury's and many other household names. Unipart has a number of accolades including winning the 'Fujitsu Award for Responsible Business in the Digital Age' at the 2017 Business in the Community's Responsible Business Awards. The company also received an Outstanding Achievement Award for Safety at last year's International Safety Awards.